sanlorenzo | (no subject)

[ It probably isn't safe to let herself get this close to someone again.

Scratch that: she knows it isn't safe to let herself get this close to someone again. That has become the constant in Asgard for her - everyone else leaves, but she stays. Most of the time, Jade doesn't care. Knowing them for a little while is better than having never known them at all, and just because those friendships are lost doesn't mean that they're meaningless.

Other times, though, the loss of it still stings. Especially now, as she and Ellie sneak through the carnival in Hel's district. It's night, past curfew, but no one in the city patrol bothers to actually check this place, and Jade knows everyone in the guard personally, anyway. It's a perk that comes with being one of the most tenured travelers in the city. ]

Have you ever been to the top of one of these things?

[ She's pausing next to the ferris wheel, touching her hand on the rusted metal as she glances up. Jade is oddly pensive, but there's a stubborn set to her shoulders, as if she refuses to admit it even about herself. ]

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[Ellie just keeps getting more pink. Stupidly pink, freckles standing out.]

... do you wanna do it again?

[ And if Jade could change anything about this situation right here, she'd make the lighting a little better so that were easier to see. ]

You're not creeped out?

No, why would I be?

[It's not like she hasn't had a few thoughts of Jade. Frankly, who wouldn't? Ellie's. Well. Been more worried about Jade finding her weird.]

I was starting to wonder if you were doing this shit on purpose.

[ She'd be beyond flattered to know that Ellie thought that having 'thoughts' of her was common. Instead, she's just going to grin a little sheepishly at her remark. ]

Did you think I was flirting on accident?

I don't know!

[Ellie's voice goes a little high, and she throws her hands in the air.]

My idea of flirting is... beating the shit out of someone at video games, you're just-

[She throws her hands towards her, agitated.]

Naturally that adorable all the time.

[ Jade is, for a moment, shocked - before she presses her hand hard to her mouth to suppress laughter and shoots Ellie a look of pure incredulity. ]

I'm two years older than you, you are not allowed to call me adorable!

You could be ancient and still be adorable. You have these... these stupid cute little teeth and you cover your mouth when you laugh, and you pronounce your words like they're goddamn italics sometimes.

Emphasis is important! And my teeth are the reason I cover my mouth when I laugh, Draco used to make fun of them.

[ But she's way more openly amused than 'wounded,' and she reaches out then to try to catch Ellie's sleeve at her wrist. ]

Besides, you are the cutest one. It is you. You dominate all of Asgard and it is unfair, no one else stands a chance.

Are we gonna have this fight? Really?

[Ellie reaches out and presses a finger to her cheek, giving her a look.]

And I love your teeth.

We are going to have this fight! You're younger than me. That makes you cuter, Ellie.

[ She reaches up to gently swat her hand away, but she's still smiling. ]

And I love... a lot of things about you.

Aw, shit, Jade.

[Ellie clears her throat, glacing sideways. She's never been good with the heart to hearts, but she appreciates it.]

Just kiss me or something. Goof.

[ And, on the flip-side, it's pretty goddamn difficult to embarrass Jade in a lot of capacities. This one is no different. She just grins slightly as she leans in a little-- and then shakes her head. ]

Nope. I kissed you last time... it's your turn now.

"Okay."

Ellie draws herself up, determined, squaring her shoulders, leaning in.

"Shit, Jade. At least close your eyes."

"--wait, why am I closing my eyes?"

Jade leans in, too, playfully bumping their noses together.

"I want to see you."

"Because you're being cute again and it's distracting as hell, and-"

Ellie almost, almost starts stammering, before she reaches out and takes her by the arms, pressing her lips to hers. She doesn't pull away right off.

It's a lot different than kissing Draco, she thinks, and then flushes a little at how unbidden - and unfair - that comparison is. When Ellie lingers, so does Jade; carefully, as if she's afraid of spooking her, she reaches up and gently touches the side of her face, just her fingertips resting against her cheek.

Jade's lips are soft. And warm. She's missed kissing someone, and she lingers in, surprised by the touch. She reaches up to cover her hand with her own, gripping her fingers.

She rests their foreheads together for a minute, eyes mostly closed.

"Been wanting to try that for a while."

"And it never occurred to you to maybe tell me?"

There's nothing harsh or judgmental about her words. It's the opposite, in fact - Jade's tone is soft, fond, and she has to actively resist the urge to lean forward and bridge the gap between them, to kiss her again.

"Maybe we could've tried it way, way earlier."

Yep. Teasing.

"Didn't know you liked me back. Who wants to be that girl, right-?"

She trails off again, moves closer. Then she kisses the tip of her nose, leans in to kiss her again, more playful this time, less cautious.

She clasps her fingers around Jade's, holding her hand.

"Well, for future reference- I am totally okay with you being that girl. At least with me. Mostly only with me, actually, but-"

It's murmured against Ellie's lips, even as she twists her hand to twine their fingers together. As cavalier as she's playing it, there's a flush on her face; this really, really isn't how she saw the night going, but she's not complaining.

Well.

She pulls back, breaking the kiss long enough to just scrunch her nose thoughtfully at her.

"--you're sure you're not cursed, right?"

Ellie scrunches her nose back, grinning. She seems to be unable to stop grinning, even if being the one caught off-guard is throwing off her mostly-cool track record.

"I will take it under advisement," she responds, affecting an accent before snorting at her.

"And that depends on who you ask."